INDIA AND THAILAND
Did you know that Guru Nanak Jayanti, Karthik Purnima & Festival
of Lights in Thailand (read significance below) were all celebrated
on the same day ie November 8, 2003. The most important significance
of Karthik Purnima is that on this day came the 'Matsya Avatar'
of Lord Vishnu to protect & establish Dharma. Also various
astrological factors occasionally make this day significant, and
this varies. This year was the Lunar Eclipse.
Historical
& Cultural Ties between India & Thailand by Mrs Wanna
Sudjit, Cultural Attache to the Thai Consulate Mumbai - the article
covers historic links, Indian influence on Thai dance, language
and ceremonies.
http://www.esamskriti.com/html/new_inside.asp?cat_name=history&sid=162&count1=0&cid=983.
Excerpts from her article are -
1. "The
ceremonies of Coronation of Thai kings are practiced more or less
in its original form even up to the present reign. The Thai idea
that the king is a reincarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu was
adopted from Indian tradition. Though this belief no longer exists
today, the tradition to call each Thai king of the present Chakri
dynasty Rama (Rama is a reincarnation of Vishnu) with an ordinal
number, such as Rama I, Rama II etc. is still in practice.
2. Thai literature
and drama draws great inspiration from Indian arts and legend.
The Hindu epic of Ramayana is as popular in Thailand as it is
in India. Thailand has adapted the Ramayana to suit the Thai lifestyle
in the past and has come up with its own version of the Ramayana,
namely, the 'Ramakien'.
3. Thai language
too bears close affinity with Indian An indication of the close
linguistic affiliation between India and Thailand can be found
in common Thai words like Ratha Mantri, Vidhya, Samuthra, Karuna,
Prannee etc. which are almost identical to their Indian counterparts.
Thai language basically consists of monosyllabic words that are
individually complete in meaning. His Majesty King Ramkhamhaeng
the Great created the Thai alphabet in 1283. He modeled it on
the ancient Indian alphabets of Sanskrit and Pai through the medium
it on the ancient Indian alphabets of Sanskrit and Pali through
the medium of the old Khmer characters.
4.Loy Krathong
- the Festival of Lights which is celebrated on the full moon
night of the twelfth lunar month, when the rainy season has ended
and the rivers and streams are filled with water. The floating
of lanterns, which began in the Sukhothai period, continued throughout
the different stages of Thai history. Prior to setting their krathong
afloat, people place in it a lighted candle, incense sticks, flowers,
a coin and some food offerings. They make a silent prayer of thanks
for the water received, a request for forgiveness for wrongs done,
and a wish for the fulfillment of a secret dream. The present
day understanding is that the festival is celebrated as an act
of worship to Chao Mae Kangka-the Goddess of the Waters for providing
the water much needed throughout the year, and as a way of asking
forgiveness if they have polluted it or used it carelessly.
5.According
to the Thai monk Venerable Buddhadsa Bhikku's writing, 'India's
Benevolence to Thailand', the Thais also obtained the methods
of making herbal medicines from the Indians. Some plants like
Sarabhi of Guttiferae family, Kanika or hursinghar, phikun or
mimusops and bunnak or the rose chestnut etc. were brought from
India. He pointed out that Thai food too was influenced by India.
He claimed that Thai people learned how to use spices in their
food in various ways from Indians".
cheers &
om, share the wealth
